In a recent Queens Daily Eagle feature, reporter Noah Powelson profiles Johnny Thach, principal law clerk to Civil Term Supreme Court Justice Karen Lin. The article traces Thach’s inspiring journey from growing up in a working-class immigrant family in Elmhurst to becoming a first-generation college and law school graduate. As a child of Vietnamese immigrants, Thach spent much of his youth helping his mother run their family laundromat. That experience shaped his understanding of the challenges immigrant communities face and fueled his drive to pursue a legal career.
“When you are growing up in an immigrant family, it’s often very difficult because that road really isn’t paved for you,” Thach told the Eagle. Now serving in the courts, he supports Judge Lin in assisting litigants and mediating legal disputes, while staying deeply connected to the community through pro bono work and his involvement with the Asian American Bar Association of New York, where he serves as one of the Government Service and Public Interest Committee Co-Chairs. “I’m just trying to be as involved in the community as much as possible and give back,” he said.
Congratulations to AABANY member Johnny Thach on this well-deserved recognition!
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit invites applications from qualified candidates for the position of Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of New York.
The term of office is four years, with potential for appointment to successive terms. If you applied earlier, there is no need to re-submit your application. The extension deadline to submit an application is June 13, 2025.
For announcement, please click here. For application, please click here.
The Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition is an appellate advocacy competition sponsored annually by the NAPABA Law Foundation. The purpose of this Competition is to help law students develop advocacy skills and to foster legal talents of the future.
The Competition was founded in 1993 and is named in honor of the late Honorable Thomas Tang, a respected jurist who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1977 until his passing in 1995.
This prestigious moot court competition is an incredible opportunity for law students to develop their advocacy skills and engage in complex international legal issues. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor, coach, volunteer or judge, or just starting your journey in moot court, the 2025 TTMC promises to be an exciting and enriching experience.
Regional Rounds: In person at the U.S. of International Trade in New York City, NY (October 17, 2025) and Zoom (October 18, 2025) (with the first 12 teams who register to participate and the remainder to compete via zoom).
National Competition at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Annual Conference: Denver, CO, on November 7-8, 2025.
Stay updated by registering for competition notifications here.
The event featured an engaging and thoughtful panel discussion by judges, a court officer, court attorneys, a court clerk, a town councilwoman, and other professionals, who shared their diverse paths and journeys to entering public service as Asian Americans. Each of the panelists shared what led them to become an attorney in public service, often invoking their immigrant backgrounds and upbringings in their journeys.
The panelists also imparted valuable advice about becoming a lawyer, attending law school, and entering public interest and government service work. Among the advice given were to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, being open-minded and to take advantage of opportunities, and building and cultivating your network, using your voice and being engaged in your community.
The event highlighted the profound impact of representation, as Asian Americans in public service roles are largely underrepresented. The event was well-attended and brought together community members, families, youth, and the volunteers who helped to organize the event.
Thanks to all the AABANY leaders who took part in the event, and thanks to all the co-sponsoring organizations as well as the attendees.
AABANY Membership Committee led a group to Citi Field on May 14th, 2025, to catch the Mets in action on AAPI Heritage night!
The Mets featured local Asian musicians, artists and lion dancers performing throughout the night. The fans heard the familiar “Take Me Out of the Ballgame” on a on a pipa, a traditional Chinese instrument.
The attendees also received a limited edition Mets/ AAPI Hat.
When rain started to fall, the group of 16 attendees went up to the Heineken Lounge to dry off. The rain eventually let up in the later innings, which was a welcome relief. Despite the rain and the loss, attendees had a great time at the ballpark!
Let’s go, Mets!
We thank Membership, Government Service & Public Interest, Litigation, Solo & Small Firm, Young Lawyers, and Women’s Committees for co-sponsoring!
Thanks to our sponsor, EcoScribe.
If you need a process server, translation services, transcriptions or depositions, email Cynthia Kaplan
The NAPABA Law Foundation is accepting applications for the prestigious SAIL Scholarship Program—a unique opportunity designed to support and empower the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.
This scholarship provides more than just financial aid—recipients receive:
$7,500 in financial support (split evenly between their 2L and 3L years)
Private mentorship from legal professionals
Exclusive networking opportunities with executive-level leaders
Who Should Apply? Current 1L students (rising 2Ls in Fall 2025) who demonstrate:
Academic excellence (undergraduate and 1L performance)
Leadership experience and a “pay it forward” mindset
Volunteerism or service in the public interest
Knowledge of or commitment to impacting AAPI communities
This is a rare opportunity to receive ongoing support throughout law school—both financially and professionally—while building a foundation for a legal career rooted in service and leadership.
Do you know an outstanding first year law student? Please encourage your standout 1L students to apply.
Students: Review the SAIL Scholarship FAQ to understand eligibility and expectations before submitting your application.
Let the SAIL Scholarship help launch your journey to making a meaningful impact.
Please share this great opportunity with your networks.
Meet the 2024 SAIL Scholarship Recipient | Jennifer Shim
Jennifer Shim, a second-year law student at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, was selected as the 2024 SAIL Scholar. A first-generation Korean American from New York City, Jennifer was recognized for her exceptional leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to public service.
Through the SAIL Scholarship, Jennifer is receiving mentorship, leadership development, and $7,500 to support her legal education.
“Jennifer shows great promise as a leader who gives generously of her time and effort to the broader community. We could not be more delighted to help her as she completes her academic work and becomes part of the next generation of leaders in our profession,” said Ivan Fong, who, with his wife Sharon, endowed the NLF SAIL Scholarship Program.
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Justice David H. Souter, who passed away yesterday. Justice Souter served on the Supreme Court of the United States for 19 years.
“Justice Souter’s devotion to public service defined his life,” said NAPABA President Thy Bui. “From a small law firm in Concord, New Hampshire, to the highest court in the land, he left an indelible mark on the Nation’s jurisprudence. On behalf of the entire NAPABA community, we celebrate his legacy and send our condolences to his loved ones.”
Justice Souter graduated from Harvard College, studied as a Rhodes Scholar, and graduated from Harvard Law School. After practicing at the firm of Orr and Reno, Justice Souter joined the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, ultimately rising to become the New Hampshire Attorney General in 1976. Two years later, the governor of New Hampshire appointed Justice Souter to the state trial court bench. In 1983, Justice Souter joined the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and in 1990, President George H.W. Bush nominated him to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination unanimously. Only two months later, President Bush nominated Justice Souter to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination by a vote of 90 to 9. Justice Souter retired from the Court in 2009.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.
In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month this year, AABANY is presenting or co-sponsoring several events this month. We hope to see you all there! Follow the links for more details, and please note the registration deadlines.
May 1, 2025
AABANY Co-Sponsors: Karaoke Showdown
6:00 pm, 22 W 32nd St. 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
Registration is closed for this event.
May 4, 2025
AABANY Sunday Run Day
8:30 AM (Meet at 8:30 am. Runtime 9:00 am.)
In the lawn near the 86th Street A train station (Central Park West and West 86th)
This event is preparation for the May 24 AAPI 5k run. For more information, click here.
Thank you AABANY, AALFNY, PBCS, AAFE, and our volunteers who assisted with the April 16th pro bono legal clinic in Manhattan!
Our volunteers met with 15 clients and discussed a variety of issues involving housing, divorce, immigration and civil litigations. Volunteer attorneys and interpreters patiently addressed client concerns, answered questions and connected them to lawyers or programs through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).
We offer services in both Mandarin and Cantonese and aim to continue to provide support for those who may struggle to obtain quality legal care due to linguistic or cultural barriers when seeking advice regarding substantive laws and procedural issues.
Thank you to all of our volunteers for dedicating your precious time to our Pro Bono Clinics and events. You all make our community a better place!
Volunteer Attorneys Anthony Wong Beatrice Leong Francis Chin Gary Yeung Jenny Dai John Hui Justin Lee Lily Li Mengxi Xiong Rachel Yoo (Remote) Tammy Tran Vishal Chander Yen Yi Anderson
Interpreters/Shadowers Grace Ouyang Chia-Jung (Colette) Chang Juliet Romero Jack HsiaRuo Yang
Behind the Scenes Volunteers
Yang Chen Kevin Hsi Kwok Ng Nandar Win Kerr
Please join our upcoming pro bono clinics on – May 21, Manhattan, from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
May 31, Brooklyn, from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
June 4, Queens, from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the next clinic!
In February and March 2025, AABANY had the honor of participating in two events with a delegation of IP officials from Singapore.
Meeting with the Singapore IP Delegation (February 26, 2025): On February 26, 2025, AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee hosted a meeting with a distinguished IP delegation from Singapore at Wilson Sonsini in New York. This exclusive event brought together key leaders in the IP community from both the United States and Singapore, fostering discussions about collaboration and innovation in global IP practices.
The delegation from Singapore included some of the foremost leaders in the fields of IP law, arbitration, and mediation, who shared invaluable insights into Singaporean law and practices in these areas. Attendees had the unique opportunity to engage with:
Dr. Stanley Lai, Senior Counsel, Chairperson of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
Chuan Wee Meng, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC)
Adriana Uson, Director & Head (Americas), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)
Sandy Widjaja, Senior Legal Counsel, IPOS
These experts provided an in-depth view of Singapore’s robust legal infrastructure and its innovative approaches to resolving IP disputes through mediation and arbitration. The conversations focused on opportunities for cross-border collaboration, especially in areas where U.S. and Singaporean practices align in the IP field.
Jeffrey Mok (AABANY’s VP of Programs & Operations, and Co-Chair of the IP Committee) delivered a presentation on AABANY’s mission, history, and role as a nationally recognized leader among diverse bar associations. Ben Hsing, AABANY’s President-Elect and Ada Wang, Co-Chair of the IP Committee, also guided discussions and ensured meaningful dialogue between the two communities.
Roundtable Discussion: Trends in the Resolution of IP and Technology Disputes (March 4, 2025): On March 4, 2025, AABANY was honored to be invited to, and participate in, a Roundtable Discussion on the Resolution of IP and Technology Disputes, organized by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP at their office in Manhattan West. The event provided a platform for legal professionals from across the globe to discuss key trends and challenges in IP dispute resolution, especially within the context of technology and innovation.
The roundtable was moderated by Dr. Stanley Lai, Senior Counsel and Chairman of IPOS, and featured thought-provoking discussions on critical issues such as:
Litigation vs. Arbitration: The advantages and challenges of resolving IP disputes through litigation versus arbitration.
Mediation: The increasing role of mediation as a method of resolving disputes without resorting to litigation or arbitration.
Arbitration Considerations: Topics like the seat of arbitration, governing law, selection of arbitral institutions, and arbitrator choice.
Practical Challenges: Issues related to discovery, expert witnesses, and other pain points commonly faced during IP and technology disputes.
Greg Pan and Ada Wang, Co-Chairs of AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee contributed to the roundtable discussion alongside other prominent figures from the IP and dispute resolution sectors. Among the attendees were:
David Kappos, Partner at Cravath
Chuan Wee Meng, CEO, Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC)
Adriana Uson, Director & Head (Americas), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)
Sharon Goswami, Partner at Cravath
Keith Hummel, Partner at Cravath
Mia Levi, Vice President, CPR Dispute Resolution
Sandy Widjaja, Senior Legal Counsel, IPOS
The IP Committee looks forward to continuing to foster discussions about intellectual property at a global level.
To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get more involved, go here.
